Southlake plans updates on key infrastructure, asks residents for feedback

Southlake is planning to spend millions of dollars to improve its water, wastewater and stormwater systems, and the city is holding public meetings for residents to learn more.

According to the city, the updates to these systems will help the city staff study capacity, identify future improvements and ensure utilities operate reliably and efficiently.

“As Southlake celebrates its 70th birthday in 2026 and approaches its projected population buildout of 34,000 residents, the city remains committed to the high standards that guide its remaining residential, commercial and economic development,” Mayor Shawn McCaskill told the Star-telegram.

McCaskill said a successful comprehensive plan is based on consistency in decision-making now and the future.

“Southlake’s plans have always provided a strong, disciplined framework for how the city grows, invests and delivers essential services for many years into the future,” McCaskill said “Updating the plans today ensures we’re adapting to an evolving environment from one of growth to maintenance.”

At a Jan. 6 council meeting, City Manager Alison Ortowski and Chief Financial Officer Sharon Jackson shared the upcoming Capital Improvements Program framework and budget that they will submit for consideration to the City Council in February.

“The city is responsible for an extensive and diverse infrastructure portfolio,” Jackson said at the meeting, “including more than 200 miles of roadway system, approximately 100 miles of stormwater infrastructure and nearly 900,000 square feet of facilities.”

The 2026 planned capital projects are estimated to cost $36.7 million.

The water and sewer infrastructure plan is $9.9 million and will be funded with cash.

Over the course of the next five years that investment will be around $98 million.

The projects that are planned are for the Alta Vista transmission line, Southlake Park phase 3, repainting the Dove and Bicentennial elevated tanks, the Loch Meadows lift station expansion and sanitary sewer erosion.

The stormwater system investments will be about $3.6 million for 2026 and will be funded with the stormwater fund with $1.7 million in cash and $1.9 million in debt.

The five-year investment total for stormwater will be around $12.9 million.

This funding is for the Morgan Road, North Peytonville drainage systems improvements and Big Bear 8 at West Continental Boulevard.

“The stormwater projects are being prioritized using what we know about our technical studies, system performances,” City Manager Alison Ortowski said. “We also look at where drainage deficiencies pose risk to public assets, public streets, public property or city assets.”

As Southlake’s population approaches its low-density capacity and has a small amount of tracts available for development, it is moving towards a management framework versus growth development.

“By regularly evaluating capacity and future needs, Southlake can schedule these improvements thoughtfully, avoid unnecessary emergency repairs, and ensure infrastructure investments are timed and scaled appropriately,” McCaskill said.

Southlake has scheduled three opportunities for the community to ask questions, give feedback and suggestions about the plans.

The meetings will be held in-person at the Southlake Town Hall Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. on these days and will also be available online to watch.

Jan 13

• Corridor Planning Committee Meeting: A high-level overview of three comprehensive plan elements — stormwater, water and wastewater — along with a refresher on the comprehensive plan update process.

Jan 28

• Corridor Planning Committee Meeting: A focused discussion on the stormwater utility master plan.

Feb 10

• Corridor Planning Committee Meeting: A focused discussion on the water and wastewater utility master plans.